Japan were a [[NewWaveMusic New Wave]] band from London formed by vocalist David Sylvian, bassist Mick Karn, Keyboardist [[Music/PorcupineTree Richard Barbieri]], drummer Steve Jansen and guitarist Rob Dean (who left in 1981). There were active from 1974 to 1982 and reunited shortly in 1991 under the name Rain Tree Crow. They are considered an influential SynthPop band of TheEighties and leader David Sylvian [[BreakupBreakout later became]] a distinctive Art Pop pioneer.

Not to be confused with UsefulNotes/{{Japan}}, [[CaptainObvious the country]].

!!Discography:

* ''Adolescent Sex'' (1978)* ''Obscure Alternatives'' (1978)* ''Quiet Life'' (1979)* ''Gentlemen Take Polaroids'' (1980)* ''Tin Drum'' (1981)* ''Rain Tree Crow'' (as [[SelfTitledAlbum Rain Tree Crow]]) (1991)----!!This band provides examples of:* BandOfRelatives: Steve is David's younger brother by about two years.* {{Main/Bishonen}}: ''Everyone in this band.''** Most obviously frontman David Sylvian, who [[UpToEleven even]] was described as [[AngelicBeauty "the most beautiful man in pop"]].* BiTheWay: David noted early on that he'd had relationships with men and women, but that he didn't find sex very interesting. His songs are equally likely to have 'boy' in the lyric as they are 'girl' or 'babe', a good example being "In Vogue".* BreakupBreakout: David Sylvian became an iconic art pop musician of TheEighties.* Main/{{Camp}}: They weren't called {{New Romantic}}s for no reason.* DeadpanSnarker: David Sylvian has his moments.-->'''Reporter:''' If gentlemen used to take Polaroids, do they take Hipstamatic pics on their iPhones now?-->'''Sylvian:''' No, I think they take Viagra now.* DarkerAndEdgier: They were known for easy-going Synth Pop, but later evolved into [[TrueArtIsIncomprehensible complex]] [[GenreBusting Genre Busters]].* DudeLooksLikeALady: The whole group during [[https://sleepyard.wordpress.com/2017/03/12/from-a-photo-session-around-london-in-1978-with-photographer-gunther-rakete-shot-in-colour-bw-also-live-onstage-here-are-two-prints-at-the-music-machine-in-camden-london-where-japan-playe/ their early glam rock years.]], but [[https://68.media.tumblr.com/13875363d75c71b1f63291e596e14fe9/tumblr_ohzisaRz2y1v67avro1_1280.png Mick and David take the cake]] * DutchAngle: The music video for [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flHWJoDt3Yo Swing]].* {{Main/Expy}}: ''Nightporter'' is very reminiscent to Music/ErikSatie's ''Gymnopédie No. 1''.** Some people accuse David Sylvian to be an expy of Music/BryanFery and also Music/DavidBowie.* GenreBusting: Their last album as Japan combines synth-pop with East-Asian folk music.* GlamRock: Started like that, and just kept the flamboyant clothes.* {{Main/Guyliner}}: Richard Barbieri would often sport thick black eyeliner. Steve Jansen and Mick Karn would do this too.* IntentionallyAwkwardTitle: ''Adolescent Sex''.* LeadBassist: Mick Karn, with his distinctive fretless bass sound.* MohsScaleOfRockAndMetalHardness: They never really get higher than a 3. But it's not like they wanted. In the band's early days they had a few guitar riff driven songs such as "Lovers On Main Street" and their version of "Don't Rain On My Parade".* NobodyLovesTheBassist: Averted, as Mick Karn is considered one of the best rock bassists of all time.* RedChina: Played straight on their album ''Tin Drum''. [[http://i.imgur.com/So4RJAd.jpg The cover]] shows David Sylvian sitting below a Mao poster, eating rice.** The [[http://i.imgur.com/yDOWe1L.jpg back cover]] shows all four members sitting below a Mao Poster in a sparse white room.** This is [[RuleOfCool likely done]] to [[FauxSymbolism increase the eastern Asian impression]] of the album's music.* SharpDressedMan: Once again, ''everyone in this band.''* SmartPeopleWearGlasses: David Sylvian in the Tin Drum era. However, he intentionally wore unfashionable frames as a fashion statement. Whilst they otherwise aren't part of his public image, he can be seen wearing more modern glasses in some pictures later on.** Though not back in the Japan days, Richard Barbieri is always seen with them in the modern day and is widely regarded as having been the smart man of the group.* StageNames: David Sylvian, Steve Jansen and Mick Karn are the stage names of David Batt, Stephen Batt and Adonis/Anthony Michaelides. David and Steve have since legally changed their last names to their stage names.* SynthPop* ThreeChordsAndTheTruth: Mostly averted.* TropeCodifier: NewRomantic, which is a lush version of SynthPop.* VocalEvolution: David Sylvian, and how! He went from a high, quite flamboyant voice to a soulful low voice between Obscure Alternatives and Quiet Life. * WordSaladLyrics: David Sylvian is prone of that.** Sometimes the lyrics are so Word Salad-y, [[https://sleepyard.wordpress.com/2017/03/18/do-you-still-have-your-polaroid-camera-where-do-you-store-your-polaroids-from-the-early-80s-yours-dont-seem-to-have-faded-rich-colours-polaroid-3-of-the-masami-series-is-album-cover-wort/ that even other band members don't know what the songs are about]]